Runs at Lake Lurleen benefit Children's Hands On Museum

The Tashka Trail Run is named in honor of Nicholas Wilson, who died in 2008. His family, Ethan, Eric and Julie Wilson wanted proceeds to benefit the Children's Hands On Museum.

Submitted photo

By Becky HopfSpecial to The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 11:33 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | It started as a way to give back to a community close to his heart and a way to help a grieving family preserve the memory of a lost child.

Facts

Nicholas Wilson Tashka Trail Run

When: 7 a.m. Saturday (50K will end around 3 p.m.)

Where: Lake Lurleen State Park, Coker

What: 50-kilometer, 25K and 4-mile run

Admission: $3 for ages 12-61; $1 for children ages 6-11 and seniors ages 62 and older; free for children under 6

Benefit: Children's Hands On Museum, in honor of the late Nicholas Wilson

Cost: Registration for the race is closed; donations to the fund can be made at the park on race day or in Nicholas Wilson's name by calling the museum at 205-349-4235.

More information: Visit www.tuscaloosatrackclub.com

Four years ago, Walt White and Mike Higgins, members of the Tuscaloosa Track Club, spearheaded the establishment of the Nicholas Wilson Tashka Trail Run. It's a novel event, combining races of 50 kilometers, 25K and a 4-mile run, distances that fit most any veteran's, or even beginning runner's, comfort zone. It's a trail run held in Coker at Lake Lurleen State Park, an event that since its inception has drawn hundreds of runners and, along with donations, raised more than $20,000 for the Children's Hands On Museum.

This year's event, the fourth consecutive, will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday. Although the deadline for entry was earlier this week — there is no race day entry — the cost was $50 to compete in the 50K and 25K and $30 to compete in the 4-mile run. Those registered may pick up their race packets at The Athlete's Foot from 5-8 p.m. Friday or on Saturday morning at Lake Lurleen starting at 6. Donations can still be made, including at the race site.

“One of the reasons I came up with it to begin with was because I've been running in these races for years, since the early 1970s,” said White, the co-race director along with his wife, Alison. “It was just a way to give back to a sport that I really like and I really enjoy. Instead of always being the participant, I wanted to be a race director and be on the other side of the race and provide an event for other people. We found a good cause in CHOM and in making it a memorial race for a special family. It's been very rewarding for all of us involved.”

The event honors Nicholas Wilson, the son of track club member Eric Wilson and his wife, Julie. Nicholas died in 2008 as an infant. The Wilsons suggested the museum benefit because of the joy it brings to their other son, Ethan, and other children.

“The 25K is 151⁄2 miles, which isn't too difficult for people who run marathons, but the 50K is 31 miles. That's for people looking for things beyond the marathon, especially on the trails, which make it a little more challenging,” White said.

The races cover a lot of miles and are staffed by a lot of volunteers, many of whom will camp out at the park the night before. Runners in the 50K won't finish until midafternoon. A race committee of 10 helps run it. A host of volunteers, including the Tuscaloosa Radio Club, the Mt. Olive Fire and Rescue, timers and station workers help make it a memorable experience.

“As far as difficulty, it wouldn't be considered a difficult course. It's very runner-friendly,” White said. “It's constantly up-and-down, but there are no major steep climbs or descents. It's a good course for those just getting into trail running. It's not like running on the roads. There's rocks, roots, holes. You have to be aware of what you're running over. It's also very scenic.”

And it's all for a great cause.

“I think it has been a great way for us to give back to the community,” Julie Wilson said. “When Ethan was little, he loved going to CHOM — he still does, though he's a little bit older now. I just know what a great place it is and how much Nicholas would have loved it, too. This has been a great way to keep his memory alive.”

This article has been amended to correct Saturday's start time to 7 a.m.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | It started as a way to give back to a community close to his heart and a way to help a grieving family preserve the memory of a lost child.</p><p>Four years ago, Walt White and Mike Higgins, members of the Tuscaloosa Track Club, spearheaded the establishment of the Nicholas Wilson Tashka Trail Run. It's a novel event, combining races of 50 kilometers, 25K and a 4-mile run, distances that fit most any veteran's, or even beginning runner's, comfort zone. It's a trail run held in Coker at Lake Lurleen State Park, an event that since its inception has drawn hundreds of runners and, along with donations, raised more than $20,000 for the Children's Hands On Museum.</p><p>This year's event, the fourth consecutive, will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday. Although the deadline for entry was earlier this week — there is no race day entry — the cost was $50 to compete in the 50K and 25K and $30 to compete in the 4-mile run. Those registered may pick up their race packets at The Athlete's Foot from 5-8 p.m. Friday or on Saturday morning at Lake Lurleen starting at 6. Donations can still be made, including at the race site.</p><p>“One of the reasons I came up with it to begin with was because I've been running in these races for years, since the early 1970s,” said White, the co-race director along with his wife, Alison. “It was just a way to give back to a sport that I really like and I really enjoy. Instead of always being the participant, I wanted to be a race director and be on the other side of the race and provide an event for other people. We found a good cause in CHOM and in making it a memorial race for a special family. It's been very rewarding for all of us involved.”</p><p>The event honors Nicholas Wilson, the son of track club member Eric Wilson and his wife, Julie. Nicholas died in 2008 as an infant. The Wilsons suggested the museum benefit because of the joy it brings to their other son, Ethan, and other children.</p><p>The race has averaged 170 runners per year, drawing participants from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee.</p><p>“The 25K is 151⁄2 miles, which isn't too difficult for people who run marathons, but the 50K is 31 miles. That's for people looking for things beyond the marathon, especially on the trails, which make it a little more challenging,” White said.</p><p>The races cover a lot of miles and are staffed by a lot of volunteers, many of whom will camp out at the park the night before. Runners in the 50K won't finish until midafternoon. A race committee of 10 helps run it. A host of volunteers, including the Tuscaloosa Radio Club, the Mt. Olive Fire and Rescue, timers and station workers help make it a memorable experience. </p><p>“As far as difficulty, it wouldn't be considered a difficult course. It's very runner-friendly,” White said. “It's constantly up-and-down, but there are no major steep climbs or descents. It's a good course for those just getting into trail running. It's not like running on the roads. There's rocks, roots, holes. You have to be aware of what you're running over. It's also very scenic.”</p><p>And it's all for a great cause.</p><p>“I think it has been a great way for us to give back to the community,” Julie Wilson said. “When Ethan was little, he loved going to CHOM — he still does, though he's a little bit older now. I just know what a great place it is and how much Nicholas would have loved it, too. This has been a great way to keep his memory alive.” </p><p><i>This article has been amended to correct Saturday's start time to 7 a.m.</i></p>